Blepharoplasty 101 – Your Guide to Eyelid Surgery

If your primary interest in cosmetic surgery stems from wanting to regain your youthful appearance, there are several different procedures you can consider. One of those procedures is a blepharoplasty. Although this surgery isn’t the right fit for everyone, if your eyelids droop down significantly more than they used to, there’s a good chance that you’re an ideal candidate. It’s also worth noting that this surgery can be done even if you’ve always had eyelids that droop more than you would like.

The basic change this surgery makes is to remove fat, skin and other tissue that’s making eyes look droopy. Because this droopy appearance can make someone look tired even after they’ve had a great night of sleep, getting a blepharoplasty is a great way to revitalize your appearance. Since how people look definitely impacts how they feel, going through this change can have an impact on your overall quality of life.

What to Expect Prior to a Blepharoplasty

Although you may be very excited to say goodbye to your drooping eyelids for good, there are some steps that need to be completed before this surgery can be performed. As with any type of cosmetic surgery, one of the main steps is to meet with a qualified cosmetic surgeon. There are several reasons this type of consultation is so important. Not only will it give you a chance to discuss what you want with a surgeon, but they’ll also be able to inform you if your expectations for this procedure are realistic.

If both you and the surgeon you meet with decide that a blepharoplasty is the right procedure for what you want to accomplish, you will be evaluated to ensure you’re a suitable candidate. This evaluation is done to look at your medical history and current state to rule out any factors that could cause complications during the blepharoplasty.

How a Blepharoplasty is Done

Since the amount of work required during a blepharoplasty can vary based on how much is being removed, the average time range for this procedure is between one and three hours. Prior to starting the surgery, you will be put under with a general anaesthetic. Once the surgery begins, the amount of work done will depend on what type of blepharoplasty you and the surgeon agreed would be best. This procedure can involve surgery on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both areas. It’s worth noting that regardless of where the cuts are ultimately made, your surgeon will be very careful about making them in areas that aren’t very visible.

Recovering from a Blepharoplasty

This procedure doesn’t require staying in the hospital to recover. However, it is important to have someone who can take you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours. Upon leaving the hospital, you will want to keep your head in a raised position for the first three days. In terms of the total recovery time, your surgeon will inform you based on the specific type of blepharoplasty you opt to have done.